I finally read this because I wanted to read some sci-fi classics, and I have no idea what that even was. Not sure if spoilers matter when the book has been out for fifty-something years, but I won't say anything. The story is incredibly slow, with a good amount of world-building. It quickly veers off in the last few chapters and left me with a feeling of "what the h*ll just happened." I did like the world-building of the characters and technology in the 2001 segments, the rest felt like it dragged. But it's a classic, and should be read at least once.